Manny’s: Trans Rights are Human Rights

Honey Mahogany, Director of San Francisco’s Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI), co-founder of the Transgender District, and Chair-Emerita of the San Francisco Democratic Party, has been active in LGBTQ+ organizing and community work for 20+ years. Join her in conversation with Suzanne Ford, SF Pride Director to discuss the increasing anti-trans sentiment and legislation across the country, and what San Francisco’s role as a leader in trans rights and protections should be. This talk will explore the issues as well as discuss strategies and ways to advocate and support the trans community

Biography:

Honey Mahogany

Honey grew up in San Francisco and received her Masters in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley. Honey has experience working in government at both the county and statewide levels, as well as 20+ years of experience working with LGBTQI2S+ youth, adults, and seniors as a direct service provider, program director, and advocate. Her work has earned her recognition from the City and County of San Francisco, the State of California, and awards from numerous organizations including Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom; The GLIDE Center for Social Justice; and the Women’s Foundation of California.

Suzanne Ford

Suzanne Ford (she/her) is the Executive Director of SF Pride. The first trans woman to hold the office, she is a fierce activist working toward equal rights for the trans community. She is a founding member of the SF Pride Golf Tournament, the first and only PGA-endorsed event ensuring queer visibility in one of the most cis-heteronormative spaces in the world– as well as SF Pride’s most lucrative board-led annual fundraiser to date. Suzanne has also served as President of the board of the Spahr Center in Marin County and as a board member, Vice President, and Treasurer of SF Pride. Originally from Kentucky, she graduated with honors with a BA in History from Murray State University. She then attended Howard Law School. She was employed as a Regional Sales Manager at Revere Packaging for over 11 years and was named by Plastic News as one of the Women Breaking the Mold in the Packaging Industry in 2017. The Trans Day of Visibility Committee of San Francisco recognized her with the Legacy Award in 2022. Suzanne was chosen for the prestigious Horizons Foundation Leadership Award in 2024. Suzanne recently moved to the iconic Castro neighborhood. She is available to speak to groups or employers about trans issues and her experience facing the world as a trans woman.